Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
Waiting for the Sun
On the west side of a steep hillside, Soda Butte Creek waits for the sun. Overnight temps had dipped down near zero. The open water released a bit of itself to the atmosphere which then rapidly condensed into an enticing fog. Throughout the dark night, it slowly rose off the creek. The movement of the water drove the fog from the water’s edge. The magic vapor settled into the low spots first. It then filled the valleys and crept downstream, picking up a bit of speed as the creek rushed through a steeper section. The super-cooled water vapor drifted through the bushes that line the creek. The moment it touched the branches, it froze into ever thickening layers.
As the frigid blanket ebbed and flowed, it occasionally left the confines of the river banks and coated the young pine trees growing among the boulders that eons of flowing water has exposed. Darkness began to fade to twilight and the air became even colder. Soon, the towering peaks behind the hills were ringed with a crown of shining alpenglow, the likes of which no human monarch ever wore. The fog began to climb higher until even the tall trees were enshrouded in a curtain of obscurity. It was a race against time. Sun and fog are not often compatible, and today was no exception.
By the time the sun began to crest the alpine ridge, it was beginning to dissipate the fog. The artistic magic of the nocturnal visitor had a striking effect on the landscape. Everything was coated in layers of feathery white ice crystals. Sunlight chased shadows from the crags of the mountain tops, through the subalpine meadows and down into the foggy valleys below. Treetops cast alternating rays of shadows and sunlight into the remaining tendrils of fog that still clung to the forest. A gentle morning breeze whispered through the branches, carrying some crystals with it as it wandered through the woods. The air became filled with thousands of diamonds dancing through the forest and drifting down to the creek from which it had been born. They settled onto the pillow-topped rocks which dotted the creek bed and lined the banks. The glittered landscape was absolutely mesmerizing.
The hypnotizing effect of this landscape had me lost in thought as we followed the winding road through the forest. We passed right by all this magic before I realized what we had done. I told my wife, we have to go back! We turned around, found a pullout, and got out to marvel at it all. That’s when I noticed this young Lodgepole Pine Tree. I am not sure if there is any other tree in the Park that is more deserving of having is portrait taken, but then again, maybe they all are! Waiting for the Sun was well worth the foggy night.
Specific Feedback
I’ve reduced the highlights on the right side a bit and lightened the shadows on the left. Does it seem about right? Do you think the darker area at the top right is distracting? Ive lightened that just a tad to keep it brighter. I’m never sure how blue the shadows should appear. How do they appear here? It’s tempting to straighten the tree, but thats the way it leaned so I left it as is. Also curious if you think a story as long as the one I wrote here is too much, or if it adds to the experience of viewing the image.
Technical Details
Nikon D850
Nikkor 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6
ISO 64, f/11, 1/200, 70mm
I processed this in Lightroom. Reduced highlights and lightened shadows. Texture, dehaze, saturation and vibrance all slid to the right a bit. I reduced saturation of the blues in the color mixer. I slid all the sharpening tools up a bit. Tone curve up in the shadows while pinning the lighter parts as is.
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